25,000 students across Mumbai to learn how to use solar cooker

On January 15, around 25,000 students across 500 schools in Mumbai, Thane and Palghar, will learn how to assemble a solar cooker and cook in it, too. “For example, add water, noodles, vegetables and masala in a solar cooker and keep it under the sun for 20 minutes. You will get ready-to-eat noodles,” explained Dr Alka Mandke, head of Keshav Shrushti, an NGO that takes up social service projects for integrated development, which is conducting the programme.

“Within 30-40 years, conventional energy will deplete completely. Solar cookers will be the need of the hour and everyone should know how to operate one,” said Dr Mandke. The solar cooker, which costs

Rs 400, will be sold at a concession at the schools. It will be distributed for free among those who can’t afford it. “Our volunteers will educate the students on the importance of solar energy,” said Dr Ashmita Hegde, solar programme head, Keshav Shrushti.